Documentary Competition
Films competing in this competition broaden our horizons and invigorate our understanding of the planet and its inhabitants through careful research, deft argumentation, and stunning cinematography. Documentary art is fundamentally about audience persuasion: What is the Truth? Why should we care? How should we act? The best documentarians convince audiences that their argument is unequivocally the Truth, that it is worthy of widespread concern, and that their recommendations are the best suited to address the issue at hand.
The Documentary Competition jury, comprised of filmmakers, journalists, and industry professionals, selects the winning filmmaker, who will be announced at the Golden Space Needle Awards May 19 and awarded a cash prize of $5,000.
Fragments of a Life Loved
Italy | 2023 | 95 min. | Chloé Barreau
Chloé Barreau reconstructs her love life through archival recordings and interviews with 12 of her exes.
Grasshopper Republic
USA | 2023 | 94 min. | Daniel McCabe
In the small Ugandan village of Bundibugyo, workers harvest grasshoppers by any means necessary.
Hollywoodgate
Germany | 2023 | 91 min. | Ibrahim Nash’at
Tracks one year of the Taliban’s rising power as they take over a former American military base.
A New Kind of Wilderness
Norway | 2024 | 84 min. | Silje Evensmo Jacobsen
In the vast Norwegian wilds, five family members navigate grief and what “home” means after the loss of the mother.
Porcelain War
Ukraine | 2024 | 87 min. | Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev
Ukraine-based Slava Leontyev and Anya Stasenko make tiny porcelain figurines as the war rages on around them.
The Ride Ahead
USA | 2024 | 97 min. | Dan Habib, Samuel Habib
21-year-old wheelchair user Samuel Habib sets out to manage a world that ignores the needs of Disabled people.
So This Is Christmas
Ireland | 2023 | 90 min. | Ken Wardrop
In a quiet Irish town, five villagers make preparations for an emotionally taxing but ultimately fulfilling Christmas season.
So Unreal
USA | 2023 | 101 min. | Amanda Kramer
Debbie Harry narrates this hypnotic documentary on late-20th century science fiction/cyberspace cinema.